Sitename.com
Diseases Symptoms Drugs Injuries Surgeries Vitamins Pediatric Symptoms
  home         about us         support center         contact us         terms of service         site map

PITYRIASIS ALBA

General Information

DEFINITION--A benign disorder of the skin in which skin temporarily loses pigmentation in patches.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Skin of the cheeks and arms.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Occurs most in children, but may occur up to age 25.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS--

    Skin lesions with the following characteristics:

  • Lesions are small white patches with vague borders. They sometimes have pinpoint-sized white papules (small, raised bumps).
  • Patches are most apparent in summer because the lesions cannot tan, and tanning heightens the contrast between the areas.
  • One person may have 1 to 12 patches at a time.
  • Patches feel smooth.
  • Patches may itch occasionally, but they are not painful.

CAUSES--Unknown. The tendency may be inherited.

RISK INCREASES WITH--Family history of allergies of any kind.

HOW TO PREVENT--No specific preventive measures.


What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES--

  • Your own observation of symptoms.
  • Medical history and physical exam by a doctor.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

  • Self-care after diagnosis.
  • Doctor's treatment.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS--None expected.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Patches may come and go for years. Between ages 20 and 30, they disappear completely.


How To Treat

GENERAL MEASURES--

  • No truly effective therapy available.
  • Use sunscreen or protective clothing to prevent sunburn in affected areas.

MEDICATION--

  • Lubricating cream application may improve roughness or dryness, but does not improve the color.
  • Use of coal-tar preparations may be helpful.
  • Your doctor may prescribe prescription or non-prescription topical steroid medicine to control itching and prevent papules (raised, discolored skin growths).

ACTIVITY--No restrictions.

DIET--No special diet.


Call Your Doctor If

  • You have symptoms of pityriasis alba.
  • New, unexplained symptoms develop. Drugs used in treatment may produce side effects.
Dserun mollit anim id est laborum. Lorem ipsum and sunt in culpa qui officias deserunt mollit. Excepteur plus sint occaecat the best cupidatat nonr proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum. September 24, 2004
read more

Email:

Excepteur plus sint occaecat the best cupidatat nonr proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit.
Support forums
Help desk
F.A.Q.
go
home       about us      affiliates     contact us       terms of service      

© 2005 HealthSE.com All right reserved